The Jewel Tree of Tibet: The Enlightenment of Tibetan Buddhism

Tibetans call their cherished tradition of Buddhism a "wish-fulfilling jewel tree" for its power to generate bliss and enlightenment within all who absorb its teachings. This path to enlightenment, it is taught, requires more than a sitting meditation practice alone. With The Jewel Tree of Tibet, honored scholar and teacher Robert Thurman brings these insights to you as they were meant to be transmitted, through the spoken word.

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Tibetans call their cherished tradition of Buddhism a "wish-fulfilling jewel tree" for its power to generate bliss and enlightenment within all who absorb its teachings. This path to enlightenment, it is taught, requires more than a sitting meditation practice alone. With The Jewel Tree of Tibet, honored scholar and teacher Robert Thurman brings these insights to you as they were meant to be transmitted, through the spoken word.

As a young seeker almost 40 years ago, Thurman first journeyed to Dharamsala, where he became the first Westerner ordained by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Now, Thurman guides you lucidly through the unifying principles of Tibetan Buddhism's many branches. You will discover Tibetan Buddhism's detailed map of the "bliss state of enlightenment", the principles of tantra for opening the doors to "infinite compassion and continuity", and how to overcome the dangers of the spiritual quest to discover states of consciousness that transcend even death.

Finally, here is Robert Thurman on audio, offering a rich and intellectually riveting retreat program, complete with many specific meditations and spiritual practices to fully immerse you in the mysteries of The Jewel Tree of Tibet. More than nine hours of compelling study with one of Tibetan Buddhism's greatest teachers.

LEARN MORE ABOUT:Eleven steps to create the spirit of enlightenment, here and now The truths of Padmasambhava, Naropa, Tsong Khapa, and other legendary sages Guided meditations to experience the blessings of "the wish-fulfilling gem tree"

I really enjoyed this book and found the teachings very helpful and beautiful. It may be too much for a beginner, but if you already have some Buddhist background you will probably find this book well worth your time. I plan to listen to it again because I know there is more than I could possibly get on just my first listen.

Thurman breaks down the essential daily practice of Tibetan Buddhism into a wonderfully simply set of steps - literally the enlightenment engine - of how to practice. His genius is taking what can otherwise be difficult concepts and making them understandable, actionable and ... beautiful. Its not necessarily for the beginner but it can be. It is well worth the effort, giving the thoughtful listener essential tools for living an enlightened life. Highly recommended.

I would recommend this to those who have studied Buddhism some and have a fairly good handle on some of the big concepts. This teaching is pretty dense and quick. It is also fantastic. I will have to listen to this a number of times for it to sink in. I am super glad I got it--a good value for 1 credit.

I'm a big fan of Bob Thurman, but when I first started listening to this book, I was slightly put off. A lot of exaggerated imagery about gems, rubies & diamonds & sapphires hanging from a tree, yeah yeah, we get it: The Three Jewels. But there's something about listening to Bob Thurman speak that makes me unable to abandon anything he's speaking about, so I continued on. Eventually I warmed up to the "magical talk" and understood it to be symbolism and got over it. Plus, his enthusiasm and strange accent are very engaging. The second half of the audiobook was MUCH more interesting and got into the practical things like practice, that I was hoping for. The next time I listened to it, I picked up on many things I had not the first time around, and I was surprised. I guess I needed a warm-up run. Then I listened to it a third time, and again, got even more from it. So overall I am glad that I bought it. But for anyone who listens to it the first time and is slightly put off, I would really recommend hearing him out. He does go somewhere, and it is worth the wait.

I am an more advanced practitioner, and love to listen while I work (draw. He is clear, he is inspiring, he is open, he is gracious -- truly a wonderful listen! I will listen again and again . . .
His wonderfully expressive reading, his proper pronounciations, and his short chants add to the enjoyment. It also has been enjoyed by members of my family who are beginners on the path, or others who are not necessarily interested in Buddhism.

Robert Thurman is the master, at least in the USA. He presents a very open-minded approach to Buddhism that even the non-religous or people from other religisons can appreciate and take pieces from to expand their mind and live a calmer and more balanced life.

Thurman presents in a very easy to understand format the truth about our existence and ultimate goal, and shows the path all humans must and will eventually follow. His meditations are well structured and condensed, yet one can always come back to them and practice them many times

I cannot rate this highly enough as I can't take it all in yet! There is depth and clarity and genuine teaching here - worth every single penny - truly a masterpiece and I thank the author for making the effort to teach this. Wonderful.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Mrs. K. M. Fitzgerald

Norwich, England

4/13/13

Overall

"Of interest but meandering"

I enjoyed learning more about Tibetan Buddhism and the meditations and visualisations led by the writer were of interest. I was frustrated by his continued reference to other religions, e.g. "You can visualise the Buddha, or Christ, or Allah," etc. I understand that he was trying to make his retreat inclusive (and indeed this is not an audiobook, it is the recording of a retreat), but it did not match what I was hoping to hear about. Also, there did not seem to be a clear thread of information; instead, the text meandered from one topic to the next and one idea to the next. He is clearly very knowledgeable and experienced, and I gained from listening to much of it.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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